A RADICAL plan to boost activity at Durham Tees Valley Airport is being put forward by Darlington MP, Jenny Chapman.

She is suggesting operations from RAF Leeming, near Northallerton, could be switched to Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The MP believes it would give a boost to the airport which has seen flight and passenger numbers fall in recent years.

Last week Craig Richmond, chief executive of Peel Airports, which runs the airport, said time was running out for the company to find a way out of a desperate financial crisis.

In a statement he said: “I don’t know what the time frame is but eventually, if it can’t turn around, something’s going to change.”

Mrs Chapman has written to the Defence Secretary Liam Fox, suggesting the switch of operations from RAF Leeming. She said: “It would result in savings to the Ministry of Defence and would mean more business for Durham Tees Valley Airport.

“It is right Durham Tees Valley Airport should get its share of business. We have multi-national companies in this area and we have people who go on holiday. People do want to travel from Durham Tees Valley Airport but their choice of flights needs to improve.”

Mrs Chapman said she was not talking about moving everything from RAF Leeming but the runway, air traffic control and fire cover could be used at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

On the debate over the airport’s name Mrs Chapman said: “I don’t care what it is called as long as we have it. For now it is more about getting the airport viable.”

Shaun Woods, duty manager at the airport, said all options and all areas were being looked at to help the business at the airport.

“There is no reason why it could not work. We have a good facility here and there is plenty of space.”